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South Lake Tahoe, California, United States
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Derek Nicolich posted thisHonored to share that I was recognized with the 2025 Leadership Excellence Award at Kate Farms. This one hits different. The award is voted on exclusively by our executive leadership team, and it goes beyond any single goal or achievement. It represents a commitment to consistently show up for our peers, and for the patients and healthcare professionals we serve. After 40+ trips around the sun, I can confidently say that leadership is a skill, not a trait. It takes practice. You won’t be perfect, but you can always get better. And you only get better when you surround yourself with people who believe in you and challenge you to grow. Obligatory (and well deserved) shout-outs: Brett Matthews - Thank you for always taking the time and leading by example. Catherine Hayden - Thank you for the unwavering empowerment and support. Alden Karr - Thank you for the mentorship and steady guidance. Tom Beecher - Thank you for the continued opportunities to learn and grow. To the rest of the ELT (you know who you are) - Thank you for your trust and continued confidence in my leadership. Onward and upward 🚀
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Derek Nicolich shared thisI don't recommend drinking bleach but I do recommend drinking Chai Tea. Free Bird Chai brews authentic Chai Tea made with water direct from Lake Tahoe. For those who have placed an order, we appreciate you. For those who have yet to place an order, you should try some. It's delicious. Use "DONTBECHAI" @ checkout to save 20% off your 1st order $25+. https://lnkd.in/gKZfZzf
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Derek Nicolich shared thisThis is an amazing effort by REVANT OPTICS and should serve as an example of how environmental stewardship can directly affect positive health outcomes for an organization and it's employees. Hope this effort get's some traction on a larger-scale. Hat's off Jason Bolt!Derek Nicolich shared thisIt’s been proven that 2+ days in nature significantly reduces anxiety, stress, blood pressure and many other mental and physical ailments. I can speak from experience because making a connection with nature and my community a priority over the last year has dramatically changed my mindset and life. We’re going to turn 110 acres into a retreat from the pressures of the city for family, friends and the REVANT OPTICS team. It will be complete with off-grid cabins, mountain biking trails and plenty of fruits and veggies. Our goal is to create a sanctuary to recharge minds, bodies, and souls. Let me know if you want to check it out when we’re done! If you run a brand in the outdoor or wellness space, let me know if you'd like to get involved. #oregon #getoutside #nature #wellness #business # #mentalhealth #notRajneeshees #optoutside #nature #cpg #entreprenuer #communityovercapital #revantoptics
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Derek Nicolich posted thisAny recommendations on Shelf-Life + Nutritional Testing labs in CA or NV?
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Derek Nicolich shared thisSolid platform and eager to see some of these feature sets made available on Shopify Plus out-of-the-box for #B2B and #Omnichannel brands.Shopify quietly acquired Handshake, an e-commerce platform for B2B wholesale purchasingShopify quietly acquired Handshake, an e-commerce platform for B2B wholesale purchasing
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Derek Nicolich shared thisWhat a great brand post-mortem and definitely worth a read. Thanks for giving a peek behind the curtains Michael Fox. https://lnkd.in/eiC_QN5
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Derek Nicolich shared thisGreat to see what Rand Fishkin and company are building. Clear terms and even clearer vision for bootstrappy(?) founders looking for to add a strategic partner. https://lnkd.in/gE7J7dg
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Derek Nicolich shared thisA bit skewed as they're measuring products against services but still an Interesting graphic that shows how the digitization of commerce has affected core retail sectors.... and how our vanity shapes our purchasing behavior. #commerce https://lnkd.in/gUzGnWk
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Derek Nicolich posted thisWe're launching a 3PL that doesn't suck. Focus is partnering w/ DNVB's to deliver a premium experience to their customers beyond the traditional pick, pack + ship. Interested?....DM me!
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Derek Nicolich reacted on thisDerek Nicolich reacted on thisTwo days in Bloomington for the IU Ventures Founders & Funders Network Summit, and it delivered!! This community does one thing better than any I know: founders, funders, faculty, and alumni showing up for each other to create and build. A big thank you to Tony Armstrong, Jon Barada, and Olivia Schmitt-Metz, MPA, MBA, for an amazing Summit. A few moments that stuck with me: → Todd Wagner (IU alum, co-founder of Broadcast.com and 2929 Entertainment) opened the IU Innovates Student Startup Showcase — equal parts heart and hustle, full of inspiration, and a reminder that the boldest bets look unreasonable until they don't. → David Krane (CEO, GV / Google Ventures, IU alum) and Scott Dorsey (co-founder & Managing Partner, High Alpha) on the "Icons" fireside chat was a master class on building category-defining companies and the long view on what actually compounds...tremendous insights. → Scott Dolson (VP & Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, IU; 2026 NACDA Athletic Director of the Year) brought the leadership playbook behind the Hoosiers' historic 16-0 championship season, sharing that culture, clarity, and conviction win in athletics and in business alike. → And the IU Innovates students who pitched live were the real stars. The next generation of IU founders is sharp and ready. I was also deeply humbled to be named IU Ventures Mentor of the Year. A recognition that belongs to the founders who let me into their journeys. Reflecting on a quote from Steve Jobs: "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." That's exactly who I get to work with. Jay Townsend, Matthew Anderson, Maya Meron, Michael Kokot, and Olivia Schmitt-Metz, MPA, MBA — and so many others — thank you. Watching you build and create is a true privilege, and I've learned so much from each of you. Mentorship is never a one-way street. Already looking forward to next year's summit, and GO HOOSIERS!!!!! #IUVentures #MentorOfTheYear #founders #funders #mentorship #healthcareinvesting #medicalnutrition #foodasmedicine #Hoosiers
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Derek Nicolich liked thisProud to work for a company that is pushing the boundaries of what we know about infant nutrition. Danone Research & Innovation just published findings showing that a combination of prebiotic fibers (inulin + lcFOS) can increase iron bioavailability by ~1.5x in laboratory models — not by adding more iron, but by changing how the gut absorbs it. The mechanism is fascinating: beneficial gut bacteria fed by these prebiotics produce short-chain fatty acids that keep iron in a soluble, absorbable form in the large intestine. What makes this research especially meaningful is the equity angle. The prebiotic blend studied is more affordable and could be accessible in regions across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East — where iron deficiency in young children is most prevalent. This is what nutrition science looks like when it’s done right. Hats off to the Danone R&I team. 👏 #InfantNutrition #NutritionScience #Microbiome #WomenInScience #ProudDerek Nicolich liked thisIron deficiency impacts 40% of children under five around the world. But that can’t always be fixed by simply increasing iron intake – because it’s also about whether the infants’ guts can effectively absorb it. In a new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a team of our scientists led by our expert Gabriël Thomassen found that combining two prebiotic fibers (inulin and lcFOS) increased iron bioavailability by approximately 1.5x in laboratory models. How does this work? The researchers suggest that beneficial gut bacteria fed by these prebiotics produce short-chain fatty acids, particularly acetic acid, which appear to keep iron in a soluble, absorbable form in the large intestine. These more affordable prebiotic blends were also found to increase iron bioavailability to a similar extent as a more expensive, clinically established prebiotic blend that is not always accessible in regions across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East where iron deficiency is most prevalent. This research reflects how we think about nutrition at Danone R&I: not just which nutrients are present, but how the body – and the microbiome – actually uses them. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dgGHSRcr #InfantNutrition #Microbiome #Prebiotics #IronDeficiency #DanoneResearch #NutritionScience
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Derek Nicolich liked thisDerek Nicolich liked thisMillerKnoll is looking for a VP, Global Retail e-Commerce who doesn’t just manage digital businesses but instead embodies the brand. We’re looking for a leader with both left brain and right brain sensibilities: - Customer-obsessed, culture tracker who connects the dots others miss - Equal parts operator, merchant, and storyteller - Creative brand thinker with strong commercial instincts + understanding of luxury brands - Fluent across vertical and marketplace ecosystems - Experienced managing portfolios across multiple markets - Comfortable navigating the scale and complexity of large organizations This is for someone who understands that modern e-commerce is part data science, part brand building, part customer anthropology. We believe the magic happens when all three come together. Design Within Reach Herman Miller Knoll
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Derek Nicolich liked thisDerek Nicolich liked thisExciting opportunity to join a great team and brand: https://lnkd.in/gqpE5PVi
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Derek Nicolich liked thisDerek Nicolich liked thisUrban Outfitters CTO David Hayne had a detailed answer when an analyst asked about AI on the company's Q1 FY2027 earnings call on May 20, 2026. Eight production deployments. Personalization and recommendation algorithms. Search and discovery. Product listing enhancement. Website translation. Order fraud screening. Logistics optimization. An AI customer service agent already live, "that's been a nice win." And then the news: all teams across the entire company have Gemini deployed, and Claude is rolling out next as "a big initiative now." The most commercially significant disclosure was not the customer-facing tools. It was COO Frank Conforti describing the use of AI to speed up the product development life cycle as "one of the most impactful initiatives" the company is working on. In fashion retail, the closer to consumer demand you can make product decisions, the better your full-price sell-through and the lower your markdown rate. AI compressing that timeline is a direct margin driver. URBN is allocating approximately $71 million, 15% of its $475 million FY2027 CapEx, to technology. CEO richard hayne said the company is "in the first inning" of AI adoption and plans to move "as fast as we possibly can." Seventh consecutive quarter of record sales. $1.5 billion in revenue. 11% growth. Read more: https://lnkd.in/giPXPvHQ
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Derek Nicolich liked thisDerek Nicolich liked this#Amazon's P70 forecast is -not- a buying forecast. It's a demand forecast. ✋ So you cannot just use Amazon's forecast to ring-fence inventory and inform your account budgets. Instead, your teams also need to consider their: - Buy Box Win Rate - Vendor Lead Time - Inventory Turnover - Seasonality Patterns - Upcoming Ad/Promo Campaigns - Expiration Risk of Existing Amazon Stock Amazon has also drastically reduced its inventory coverage in recent years. 🚩 On average, the online retailer now holds between 4-6 weeks of inventory. In some categories, it's even less. So to avoid running out of stock on your (profitable) listings, make sure to: ✅ Avoid sending Amazon products close to their expiration date ✅ Negotiate seasonal upfront buys with your VM/AVS ✅ Ensure any deal funding is tied to minimum ordering volumes ✅ Review your Buy Box win rate through virtual shelf monitoring tools ✅ Stay within Amazon's vendor lead time requirements (<3-5 days) 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗽: Want to get access to Amazon's buying forecast? Ask your Vendor Manager to unlock it in Vendor Central for you. --- How do you translate Amazon's P70 into a buying forecast? Share your best tip in the comments! #amazonvendor #amazonstrategy
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Derek Nicolich liked thisDerek Nicolich liked thisLast year, I soft-launched the matcha latte brand I’d been quietly building, and did tons of pop-ups, sampling, market testing, and early community building across NYC. After a million learnings, we’re re-emerging with a brand-new name (hello, Gemmi (fka Frothé)!), finalizing our very first product, and working our way to launch day in the near-ish future! I can’t wait to unveil everything, and our waitlist at drinkgemmi.com will be the first to know. I’m documenting it all on The Tea, a new Substack where I’ll spill the tea on early brand-building and share conversations with really cool people. Link in the comments. Welcome to the Matchaverse, so much more to come.
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Derek Nicolich liked thisDerek Nicolich liked thisI accidentally built myself a tiny AI surf town and now the citizens are catching revenue leaks before my second iced matcha hits. Here's what's actually running: What I mean by "agent": A Claude Cowork skill I gave a name and a job to. Some run on a schedule. Some scan for signals. Some are on-call, ready when I ask. My girl Alex is the glue. The town has citizens: • Alex is my chief of staff and runs the day • Scout watches revenue • Current reads performance marketing • Harbor watches wholesale • Reef sharpens site merchandising • Wake processes every meeting I attend • a few more still earning residency One example from last week: Scout (revenue) flagged a PDP running at 0.13% conversion with a 92% bounce rate after ~750 sessions. Almost certainly out of stock in the most-bought size. Reef (site merch) validated it before the next email hit. We avoided routing traffic to a broken page. That used to be a manual catch. Or more often, a missed catch. Now the DTC daily brief lands by 8:40 AM every weekday, before the day gets rocking and rolling. The interesting part isn't the agents. It's the infrastructure between them: handoffs, context, shared memory, eventually permissions. How I got here: Phase one was the out-of-the-box stack. If you're a busy operator: Pick the three systems you live in most. Connect them to Claude. Then build one skill that watches one number you actually care about. Phase two is the unlock we're building now: A unified data warehouse as the source of truth for the org. The agents already reading from it stopped speculating. They started reading from the real ledger. That shift changes the credibility of every output. Next layer: reactive systems. Agents that don't just report, they wake up when something meaningful changes. My personal Cowork stack will always stay local and operator-focused. Things like my morning brief and my EOD recaps that pull data from meetings, emails, chats, calendars, etc. But the goal: same foundational data and context layer across personal workflows and enterprise cloud-deployed agents. Different environments. Same source of truth. So I'm running both tracks side by side. Every problem I hit solo becomes a brief for the enterprise team. Every discipline they bring to scaling sharpens what I'm building personally. Two tracks, one bet: The future of operating a brand isn't one giant super-app. It's a small, specialized town of agents that knows your business cold, reads from the same source of truth, and stays awake when you don't. The future isn't fully autonomous brands. It's humans making better decisions with better systems around them. Still building. Still learning. What would you build first if you started today?
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Derek Nicolich liked thisDerek Nicolich liked thisI’m partnering with an exciting premium outdoor/lifestyle brand on a search for a Vice President of eCommerce to lead and scale their fastest-growing digital channels across DTC and Amazon. This is a highly strategic and hands-on executive leadership role responsible for owning the full digital business; including revenue growth, profitability, customer acquisition, retention, site experience, merchandising, digital marketing, and operational performance. The ideal profile is someone who has successfully scaled a consumer brand in the apparel, footwear, outdoor, lifestyle, or performance product space and understands how to build a world-class omnichannel digital ecosystem. Deep Amazon experience is critical, including Seller Central, advertising, brand protection, marketplace strategy, and managing channel profitability while protecting overall brand equity. This person will partner closely with executive leadership across Sales, Marketing, Product, and Operations to help shape long-term digital strategy, improve customer lifetime value, optimize conversion, and drive measurable growth across all key performance metrics. Strong experience with digital P&L ownership, performance marketing, CRM/loyalty strategy, and leading high-performing teams is essential. Really exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in both strategy and execution and wants to make a major impact within a highly recognizable and respected brand. Let's chat!!! (open to remote talent)
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Chandra Holland
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Red light therapy just went from "wellness trend" to boardroom strategy. L'Oréal unveiled LED masks at CES 2026. Major beauty brands are scrambling to catch up. The science finally caught up to the hype. Here's what most people don't understand about photobiomodulation: **1. It's not just about pretty skin** Red light penetrates deep into your mitochondria - the cellular powerhouses. It targets cytochrome c oxidase enzyme, clearing metabolic roadblocks. Result? Your cells produce 30-40% more ATP energy. **2. The timing matters more than the device** Brazilian researchers found 73-79% of users see results in just 2 weeks. But here's the catch: You need 3-5 consistent sessions weekly. Most people quit after week 3 because they expect overnight miracles. **3. Your circadian rhythm loves red light** Spanish scientists discovered something fascinating: Red light exposure in the evening helps you fall asleep faster. Unlike blue light, it doesn't suppress melatonin production. It's like giving your biology a gentle "wind down" signal. **4. The real breakthrough isn't the technology** It's understanding that cellular repair happens in layers. Weeks 1-2: Reduced inflammation and better texture Weeks 4-8: Visible improvements in fine lines Weeks 8-12: Deep collagen stimulation and lasting radiance The beauty industry finally realized what athletes have known for years: **Recovery isn't just about muscles - it's about cellular regeneration.** At CryoBoost, we've been ahead of this curve. While red light works from the outside in, our whole body cryotherapy works from the inside out. Both activate your body's natural healing systems. Both reduce inflammation at the cellular level. Both require consistency for maximum results. The difference? Cryotherapy gives you systemic benefits in 3 minutes. Pain relief, energy boost, metabolism activation, and mood enhancement. All while your mitochondria get the same cellular wake-up call. Ready to experience what happens when you combine cutting-edge recovery science with consistent action? What's your biggest challenge with sticking to wellness routines - time, consistency, or seeing results?
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Niels Kramer
GoHub • 15K followers
The number one objection from retailers exploring Rx eyewear: "We're not opticians." Fair point. Also irrelevant. E-pharmacies don't employ pharmacists for every transaction. Food delivery platforms don't employ chefs. The expertise gets embedded in the platform. GoHub handles every optical part of the sale: - Prescription wizard with real-time validation - PD measurement from a selfie - AI lens recommendations based on Rx and lifestyle - Compliance per market (CE marking, medical device regs) - Fulfillment through 15 European optical labs The retailer's job: traffic, brand, customer relationships. GoHub is onboarding fashion stores, e-pharmacies, and marketplaces. None have optical expertise. All will sell Rx eyewear. The $140B Rx market is no longer gated by expertise. It's gated by ambition. #PrescriptionGlasses #Ecommerce #RetailTech #GoHub #Eyewear #pharmacy
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Michael Law
5K followers
Are you ready to launch a supplement or skincare brand? While the process isn’t complicated, it can be unforgiving if you overlook the fundamentals. At Eagle Labs, Inc., we manufacture for founders eager to move quickly and build scalable brands. Before you launch, consider this non-negotiable founder checklist: 1. Product & Formulation - Clear problem + differentiated positioning - Custom vs. stock formula decision - Ingredient sourcing, COAs, and stability considerations - Dosage, efficacy, and claims alignment 2. Regulatory & Compliance - cGMP-compliant manufacturing partner. NSF Certified - FDA/FTC-compliant labeling and claims and co-man team that can help - Supplement Facts / Ingredient statements done correctly - Skincare INCI lists and required disclosures 3. Manufacturing Readiness - Realistic MOQs and lead times - Batch testing and quality control processes - Scalability beyond the first production run 4. Branding & Packaging - Packaging compatible with the formula - Label sizing, materials, and regulatory spacing - Shelf life and storage requirements - Unit economics tied to packaging choices 5. Cost Structure & Margins - True cost per unit - Freight, duties, warehousing, and fulfillment costs - Target margins that survive paid acquisition - Cash flow planning for reorders 6. Go-to-Market Reality - Channel strategy (DTC, Amazon,TikTok Shop, retail, wholesale) - Affiliate strategy if appropriate - Launch volume aligned with demand - Reorder cadence and inventory risk planning At Eagle Labs, Inc., we assist founders in pressure-testing this checklist before committing to inventory, packaging, or formulas that may not scale. If you’re considering launching or fixing a launch, remember that the real risk isn’t competition—it’s skipping essential steps that you may not realize are crucial. By doing your homework, you will be better prepared to find a manufacturing and fulfillment partner that can help you scale. www.eaglelabsinc.com
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Lucas Kaelin
WhatsuppwithLucas • 862 followers
Are we over-formulating supplements just because we can? There’s a growing trend of formulas stacking more ingredients, more claims, more “pathways,” more mechanisms. But at what point does more stop meaning better? Are brands truly improving outcomes, or are we creating label complexity that sounds advanced but doesn’t meaningfully change the user experience? There’s a difference between: • multi-mechanism support vs • ingredient overload Because adding more can also mean: – lower individual doses – higher cost – harder compliance – more side effect potential – less clarity on what’s actually working Minimalist, purpose-built formulas are starting to stand out again. Not because they’re simple, but because they’re intentional. Where do you stand? #supplements #supplementindustry #formulation #labeltransparency
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Anthony Standifer
mSEED group • 3K followers
When you walk into a store like Walgreens and look at the Black and textured hair care section, what you’re really seeing is competition in real time. That 16 feet of shelf space in this store means hundreds of SKUs fighting for attention. The big players are here because they move volume. SheaMoisture. Mielle. Design Essentials. Carol’s Daughter. ORS. These brands have already proven demand across stores. As a new brand entering this environment, you need to understand something clearly. You are competing with every product on that shelf. Most shoppers are not coming into Walgreens to discover you. They’re picking up a prescription, grabbing what they already know they need, and moving on. If they try something new, that’s a bonus. Discovery is not the primary mission for most store purchases. That’s why demand has to be built before distribution. When someone walks into the store, they should already be looking for your brand because they ran out and need to restock. Retail does not create demand. It fulfills it. As a founder, it’s your responsibility to build that pull before you ever hit the shelf. 🎯
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David Westerfield
Wear Wellness • 2K followers
“New year, new me” gets a lot of attention in wellness. But for brands, it’s really about new ways to grow revenue. As teams map out the year ahead, we’re seeing more brands focus on smart portfolio expansion - adding SKUs that complement existing product lines without reinventing the wheel. Patch-based wellness is a perfect SKU addition because: • We offer wellness on-the-go and convenience functionality • Clear differentiation without added complexity • Supplemental revenue lines for easy check-out New year. Same commitment to building products that perform and helping brands expand with intention.
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Hovers
5K followers
One thing that we have observed at Hovers. Skincare is quietly shifting from “fixing skin” to “taking care of self”🧖🏻♀️ We’re seeing consumers treat their routines less like maintenance and more like a moment of pause in overstimulated days. The trigger isn’t visible damage anymore, it’s stress, overwhelm, and the need for grounding 🧘♀️ That changes how brands need to think about positioning. Products that feel calming, familiar, and reassuring don’t just get used, they get kept. They move from bathroom shelves into daily rituals. For skincare brands, growth today isn’t only about efficacy. It’s about emotional relevance. If you’re building in this space, this shift matters. Save this, it’s shaping the next era of skincare ↗️ #SkincareBrands #BrandBuilding #DTCGrowth #PerformanceMarketing #ConsumerInsights
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Avin Kline
I lead teams that help DTC… • 5K followers
📦 DTC success first, THEN retail expansion. It’s not the only way, but definitely my favorite. Liquid I.V., Athletic Brewing, Momentous, Organifi, BLOOM, BRĒZ. Great examples of brands who really built their brands on DTC as a priority first… *then* pushed harder into retail. 1️⃣ As a newer brand, we just don’t know what we don’t know. We don’t know what the product market fit will look like. We’ll get a lot of things right.. and a lot of things wrong. Building in DTC first gives us faster and more direct customer feedback. 2️⃣ Retail is going to be EXPENSIVE… and the cash cycle is slow. If you’re going to need to raise money, raising with proven DTC revenue (and profit) makes it a heck of a lot easier (and at a healthier valuation) than raising on an idea. Idea 3️⃣ We all know getting on a shelf is not the win. Flying OFF the shelves is the win. Landing Target with slow velocity is worse than not landing Target at all. DTC done right can directly impact velocity in the store. 4️⃣ In DTC, customer acquisition costs can be directly tied to revenue and profit. When we’re running ads for a brand, we know exactly what our CAC (Customer Acquisition Costs), CAC Payback (time until this customer becomes profitable), and LTV (Lifetime Value, broken down by 3-month, 6-month, etc) are. Yes there’s heavy investment in DTC, but it can be more directly tied to customer acquisition and profitability. To reach our brands’ full potential, almost all of us want to go into retail.. and we likely should eventually. But starting and proving in DTC first (and having DTC grow along with retail) is a formula I really like.
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